Disrupting literacy at scale through open source groundbreaking new processes

Team

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Chairperson

Mr. Alok Ranjan - Chief Secretary U.P.
B.A. (Hons.) Economics St Stephens College Delhi, MBA IIM Ahmedabad.

Mr Alok Ranjan is currently the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. He was the Joint Secretary of Defense of the Government of India. He has also been the Secretary to the Chief Minister of U.P.He has served as the Principal Secretary of Technical and Vocational Education, Social Welfare and Planning, Government of U.P. He is the author of two books, “The Collector Today” and “Towards Adult Literacy in India”.

Co-Chairperson

Mr. Gopabandhu Pattanaik - Co-Chairperson
Chairperson, India Literacy Board,Lucknow

Retired from 35 years Indian Administrative Service, State and Central Secretariats. Interest in higher education and worked closely with the State Universities as Principal Secretary to the Chancellor. Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University. Interest in environment, education and public service. Present Chairman, India Literacy Board which does pioneering work in the field of adult literacy.

General Secretary

Dr Sunita Gandhi - Lead Facilitator Worker
Founder, Dignity, Education, Vision International: DEVI SANSTHAN

Dr Sunita Gandhi is Founder, Council for Global Education, USA, Dignity, Education Vision International, India, and the Education Society of Iceland. She has travelled to some 38 countries and studied their education systems. Her research-based work on education has been piloted in the UK, Iceland and India. She came back to India recently after 26 years overseas with a Ph.D. in Physics from Cambridge University, UK, where she received three merit-based scholarships, a ten-year tenure as an Economist at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., USA.

Other members

Mr Aditya Kumar
Brings free education to poor and under privileged children. All he has is a bicycle, some study material to ful ofl his mission as a Mobile teacher 'cycle wala Guruji . Mr Aditya Kumar has over 4000 students in various slums of Lucknow. His efforts were recognized in 2012 with a certificate from Limca Book of Records 2014 for his selfless service to education.
Mr Ambika Misra - Executive Director, Ambalika Institute of Management Technology.
Mr. Misra has a quest for learning and passion for technology that led to the inception of Ambalika Institute of Technology. He has increasingly focused on educating the young minds with a difference. He has introduced innovative methods in the field of Education and has ranked his Institute as 3rd amongst the emerging Engineering colleges in Lucknow Region.
Andy Smith - BS, International Business, Pepperdine University,California.
Development consultant for Nidan, an NGO which organizes and advocates for informal workers across India. He lives in a slum in Lucknow, where he has participated in the pilot program for Global Dream's literacy initiative.
Mr Apurv Kumar - Managing Director of CLARKS GROUP OF HOTELS.
Graduate from Bombay University, Xaviers Institute of Management, Harvard Business School, Cornell Hotel School and 30 year innovator in the hospitality industry. President & CEO of National US India Chamber of Commerce, Asia Headquarters.
Mrs Arti Kapoor - B.Ed, B.Sc.
Teacher of physics and math; Social Worker; Gyan Prasar Sansthan Teaching needy children for the past six years.
Mr Arun Mathur
Secretary, Lucknow Management Association. Sr. Vice President, Lucknow Management Association. Advisor to Crisil Infrastructure Advisory, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow and Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Mr. Mathur has authored many technical papers and reports
Mr Ashok Drona - Chief Operating Officer, Omaxe, Uttar Pradesh Lucknow.
Excellent liaison & relationship with the Central & UP Governments.Guest Speaker for leading Management Institutions & Engineering Colleges. Red & White Bravery Award.NCC Excellence Award.University Colours for Athletics and Squash.
Mr Augustine Veliath - Bachelors Degree in Philosophy, Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism
Ex-Communication Specialist,UNICEF ; 40 years' experience as communication specialist, writer, publisher and mentor. Founder Director of Asian Center for Entertainment Education. Board member of IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network ). Former journalist, with Indian Express, the Century and Manas Publications.
Dr Bharti Gandhi - Founder-Director,CMS
B.A, L.T., M.Ed and Diploma of guidance Psychologist Examination from Lucknow. CMS has completed 50 years of success by becoming world's largest school by pupils recognized by Guinness Book of World Records. Convened an all India Anti Dowry Conference. Organized a Women Workers Conference to ameliorate the condition of poor working. Also she has organized International School to School Exchange programmes.
Mrs Bulbul Godiyal - Masters,English Literature; LLB
Member of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh. First woman to be appointed as additional advocate general of Uttar Pradesh. Her presence in the court has always placed her on a higher pedestal.
Mr Chandar Prakash - President, Connect University Lucknow
President of ‘Connect Lucknow’ and ‘Ex-Chief Warden Civil Defence’. Partner, Universal Booksellers, Created the newspaper Nai Disha Ki Or. He is regularly engaged in literary activities.
Mr Chandra Bhushan Tiwari - Social Worker
Having given 17 precious years of his life to this noble cause, the environmentalist has already been successful in accomplishing half of his desired goal. Tiwari’s green revolution started as a hobby back in 1992 and transformed into a mission with time. Providing a healthy environment is not the only noble work he does, he is often seen imparting free education to poor children. The only thing he takes from his students in return is a promise – a promise to plant at least one tree and pay their share to Mother Nature.
Mr Deep Chandra Pant - Chief Commissioner of Income Tax(Retired).
M.Sc. in Physics in Nainital College, Masters in Economics, Paris Joined Indian Revenue Services. He was posted to different places like Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Lucknow and Kolkata.
Mr Dilip Awasthi - Resident Editor, Dainik Jagran
Thirty-Five years experience in journalism including India Today, Times of India and The Pioneer. Contributor to BBC Hindi Service, Time Magazine, Sunday, Onlooker, Sun and other publications. Author of two books. Experience in anchoring television productions.
Prof Geeta Gandhi Kingdon - President & Chief Operating Officer of CMS
BSc in Economics, MSc. in Development Economics, DPhil in Development Economics. Professor at the Institute of Education, University of London. Author of over 40 papers in peer-reviewed international journals, 2 books and a large number of chapters in edited volumes
Mr Jaideep Narain Mathur - Senior Advocate, Lucknow High Court.
He has represented the state as the Additional Advocate General for many years. He has vast experience in the field of Civil Law, Taxation and International Law.
Mr Jayant Krishna - Principal Consultant, Tata Consultancy Services, Head of Lucknow .
Works with the Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Skill Development to increase the employability of Indian people and serves as Co-Convener of the Planning Commission. A fellow of the AIMA and the Computer Society of India, Co- Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry's Northern Region Committee on Skills and Education, former Chairman of UP State Council. Adjunct Professor at the IIT,Kanpur, former Board of Governors Member of the Indian IIT, Allahabad.
Jon Hakim , Rose Hakim - Engineering degree
Moved to India in 2012. Lives in a slum community in Lucknow for the past 1 ½ years, exploring ways to work with and empower their neighbors and others toward justice and community. Jon is especially interested in seeing education be a means of transformation and create new opportunities.
Mr Krishan Gupta - Managing Director& Global Chief Operating Officer, Organic India Pvt. Ltd.
CEO of Organic India which partners with farmers to produce organic agricultural products. Initiated scholarships for children of farmers. Author of “Clear Your Bottlenecks.” His awards include “Mother Theresa Excellence Award,” “The Royal Leader Award,” “Fedex Emerging Champion Award.” Started Organic India Foundation.
Ms Lalita Pradeep - MA, Eng Lit., MBA, Punjab Technical University
Currently she is Deputy Director/Principal, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Lucknow Division. Former Staff Officer to Chief Secretary, UP. Ms Pradeep has expertise in ICT-based initiatives; she initiated a pilot project in Lucknow. She is an author, blogger, poetess, radio broadcaster and scriptwriter. She received the “World Disabled Day Award,” in the field of disability, Government of UP, 2009.
Dr Madan Singh - General Secretary, Indian Adult Education .
Assn.and Registrar of International Institute of Adult and Lifelong Education, New Delhi. He was for four decades the Director of Indian Literacy Board. Authored many books in English and Hindi. Convenor of programmes of Doordarshan and All India Radio. He was honoured with the 'Sardar Patel International Award for Literacy' in 2002 by CAETA (U.K.).
Dr Madhu Chaturvedi - M.A. (Hindi,History) Ph.D. B .Ed , Bachelor in Journalism
Accredited Journalist, Teacher, Writer & Social Worker President, Ex-servicemen Wives Welfare Association; Co-Convener, INTECH; Convener, Kadambini Club, Convener, Womens Forum LMA; Ex- General Secretary, National Council for Women in India; Convener of Adoption Centre of Council of Child Welfare. Hindi Teacher in Indorama International school, West Java, Indonesia.
Mr Madhusudan Gulati - B.Sc, B.E.(Electrical)
Ex-Secretary, Lucknow Management Assn. Chartered Engineer; 35 years of experience (Retired as Dy. General Manager) and O􀀺ciating Chief Engineer. After retirement, works as consultant on various projects
Mr Mahesh Dewedy - Director General of Police (Retired)
Education: M. Sc.(Physics) and Diploma in Public Administration, Lucknow University M. Sc. (Social Planning) from London School of Economics, London University
Mrs Mandira Chakraborty - Math Teacher: Bidya Bharati High School, Kolkata.
Divine Child Girls' High School, Mumbai, Modern School, Lucknow and St. Fidelis College, Lucknow Lions' Club of North Bombay Award: Best Teacher in Mathematics Education coordinator of Asha Parivar; Social work with slum children in Lucknow .
Dr Mansoor Hasan - Director (Medical Health) Sahara Hospital Cardiologist.
M.D., FRCP (London) FRCP (Edinburg) Post graduate training in Cardiology from the London Chest Hospital and St Bartholomew's Hospital, UK. Founder of Department of Cardiology at King George Medical College .
Dr Mehnaaz Tasavoor - Principal, Career Convent Girls Degree College
MBA, PhD in Economics, Lecturer in business law and Economics. She has also worked as an Associate Professor, in RRIMT, Lucknow, for Managerial Economics, Communication, HR, Business Law, Business Environment and Organizational Behaviour.
Dr Navneet Sehgal - Principal Secretary Religious Affairs & Current Principal Secretary Information .
Principal Secretary Religious Affairs & Current Principal Secretary Information. His qualifications include B.Com, Chartered Accountancy, Company Secretary and thereafter, Ph.D besides being an IAS, He was Chairman-UPPCL and UP Jal Nigam.
Mrs Neerja Dewedy - President, 'Gyan Prasar Sansthan'
M. A. (History), social service organisation; Social worker, Journalist, Author of Hindi literature.
Prof. Dr Nishi Pandey - Professor, Department of English and Modern European Languages,University of Lucknow.
Professor of English; former Director, University Grants Commission (UGC) Academic Staff College. Former Post of Dean, Student Welfare and Chief Provost, University of Lucknow. Organised over 200 workshops, seminars and lectures, international and national.
Mr Pankaj Agarwal - Chancellor of Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University
B.Tech (Civil Engineering) Recipient of Eduprenuers Award- 2013- Vice chancellor's Choice awarded by the Engineering Watch magazine. Academic endeavors are balanced with a host of extracurricular activities, executed through various clubs.
Dr Parveen Talha - MA in Economics
Padmashree Awardee in Civil Services. Ground breaking career in Indian Revenue Service; former Deputy Narcotics Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, also member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in 2004. She was honoured with the President Award for “Specially distinguished record of service” in 2000.
Mr Pradeep Ghosh - M A General Secretary, Indian People's Theatre Assn. Officer from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Lucknow (Retired). Acted in local productions and directed threatre
M A General Secretary, Indian People's Theatre Association Officer from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Lucknow (Retired). Acted in local productions and directed theatre, also directs plays from IPTA, PNB cultural Association, Allahabad Bank cultural association.
Mrs Premlata Gulati - B.Sc, B. Ed. MA (Public Administration, MA (Human Consciousness and Yogic Science) .
Master Healer and Teacher of Reiki; Mrs. Gulati has been with the ‘Asha parivar’ for almost three years now. She monitors the Dubagga center under the education field. Practices various other healing arts.
Mr R N Bhargava - Chairman and Managing Director, Ecomen Laboratories Pvt. Ltd .
B.Sc., B.E., PGDM, FCC. Secretary General of Club of Lucknow. Engineering, Management & Environment auditing; Operations, Planning and Chief Executive, in Private, Joint Sector & Govt. sector 50 years experience.
Prof. Raj Kumar Singh - Director, MBA (HR& IR), IMS,University of Lucknow.
M.Phil.Ph.D.Chief Provost, University of Lucknow. Chief Provost, University of Lucknow.Director HOD, Dept. of Social Work, LU Indian Council of Social Welfare; Association of Schools of Social Work in India; Indian Society of Professional Social Work; National Association of Professional Social Workers in India; Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society.
Mr Rajendra Kumar Misra - ME Tokyo University
Mr Misra is from Sonari, UP. An entrepreneur, he founded Tenet Technologies, Tenet Telecom & Tenet Retail. He is a Fellow of Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Global Leadership Fellow of Aspen Institute, USA. In 2005 he left the corporate world to get into governance activism and inclusive development. He has been engaged with several state governments & central ministries in advisory roles concerning education, livelihood & infrastructure. He started the "Change India Initiative" to engage educated youth, middle class and working professionals in the matters of public policy and electoral polity. His efforts toward Indian rural self-sufficiency include his Rural Livelihood Initiatives in UP. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh conferred on him the "Transformational Leadership Award" in November-2011
Mr Ratan Chandra Gupta - B.Com. Allahabad University, LL.B. Lucknow University.
Mr Ratan served the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, India, and retired as Joint Secretary to Government, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department. He has been General Secretary City Montessori Schools, (CMS) Lucknow, since 1963. A Registered Advocate, he is currently the General Secretary of ‘International Conferences of Chief Justices of the World' for CMS.
Prof. Roop Rekha Verma - Secretary, Saajhi Duniya
Taught philosophy in the University of Lucknow for 39 years. Social activist. Established the Institute of Women's Studies in Lucknow University in 1979, Honorary Director till 2005. Founded Saajhi Duniya to work on issues related to gender, peace, basic education and culture
Dr Sabiha Anwar - Author, Former Principal, Karamat Girl's Degree College.
Urdu writer and educationist. Former principal and head of Urdu Department of Karamat Husain Muslim Girls P.G. College. Author of short stories and books on literary criticism. Speaker on radio and TV. She has been instrumental in promotion of Urdu Language and empowerment of women.
Dr Sandeep Pandey - Social Activist and journalist, Founder, Asha for Education
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from University of California . Interests in Education for underprivileged children, Human rights, Empowerment of marginalized communities Current visiting Faculty, Departments of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, IIT, BHU, Varanasi. Magsaysay award Winner.
Dr Sangeeta Sharma - Secretary, Human Unity Movement.
A wide experience in the field of education and social welfare. Visiting faculty in Amity Law School, Amity University, Lucknow Campus. Works for rape survivors in an initiative 'PAHAL' with Lucknow Police. Counsels married couples, children and parents. Consultant with CHILDLINE Lucknow.
Dr Sharib Rudaulvi - Prof. (Retired) Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
PhD, M.A. Urdu. Former Principal Publication Officer, Bureau for Promotion of Urdu, Ministry of Education, New Delhi. He has achieved many awards including Kaifi Azmi Award, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Award and Iftekhar–e-Avadh Award, to name a few.
Mr Sripati Rastogi - Director, Jan Shikshan Sansthan
MASTERS IN EONOMICS, DIP.IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.Mr. S.P. Rastogi- Director, Jan ShikshanSansthan, J.S.S runs a vocational training program and trains nearly 1000 women annually and raises awareness about gestational diabetes through leaflets and other materials provided.
Prof. Subrata Chakraborty - Former Dean & Director In-charge IIM, Lucknow.
Fourty-four years experience teaching, research, training and consultancy activities. member of the editorial board of International Journal of Management and Systems, Asian Management Case Journal, SIOM Business Review, and Health and Population Perspectives and Issues. He was the Founder Chief Editor of an international journal, Metamorphosis. Former consultant for several International Agencies, such as, World Bank, WHO, USAID, CEDPA, ICOMP, DFID, JSI and others.
Mr Sudhir Mishra - Resident Editor
Work on HIV positive. Done stories on their problems and socio-economic condition have done research on impact of climate change on mango crop.
Mrs Sujata Pant - B.Sc, M.Sc.
Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, 35 years (Retired) Member of the Indian Revenue Services (1977). Earned Management in Public Finance from IIAP, Paris. Worked in the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Mrs Sunita Aron - Senior Resident Editor, Hindustan Times, Lucknow.
Author, reporter and activist in media advocacy. First woman editor in North India. Writer on social issues. First to be selected by the International Centre for Journalists for a month-long fellowship from UP.
Prof. Surinder Kumar - Professor of Economics; Director, Giri Institute of Development Studies.
MA, M.Phil., Ph.D. RBI Chair Professor, Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh. Former Dean of Academic affairs, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. Performed various research projects related to economic development.
Mrs Susmita Basu - Head of the Quality Assurance and Innovations Department, (QAID) City Montessori School(CMS)
She has done her graduation with a first class Honours in Economics from the Lady Shri Ram College of the University of Delhi. She did her masters in Economics from the University of Pune. Prior to joining CMS, she has worked as a research associate with the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi. She was programme officer at the Voluntary Health Association of India in New Delhi. She has further worked in the editorial department of the India Today magazine in New Delhi.
Trudy Smith - B.A., International Studies, Pepperdine University,California.
Taught English in China and Thailand. Participates in the pilot program for Global Dream, teaching literacy in the slum where she has lived and worked since November 2012.
Dr Urvashi Sahni - M.A. in Education, University of California, Berkeley. PhD in Education, University of California, Berkeley.
Dr Urvashi Sahni is the Founder, President and CEO of Study Hall Educational Foundation in Lucknow. She is also the founder of PRERNA, a girl’s school that caters to the poor. Dr Sahni worked as an Educational Consultant for the UNICEF. She was also a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley. She has received numerous awards including the Hindustan Times Award for Professional Excellence as well as Women’s Achiever Award from the Lucknow Management Association.
Mr Varghese Kurien - Head of Computer Department and Executive Producer of CMS Jai Jagat Films.
He is presently heading the Multimedia, Maintenance, Audio Video Films, Photography and FM Educational Radio Division of the world famous educational institution CMS. He obtained his education from University of Kerala. Mr Kurian completed a diploma in Computer Applications and also took up Computer course in UPTRON India Ltd in Lucknow and UNICORP Industries Ltd., Delhi.
Mr Vishal Singh - MPM, University of Maryland College Park; MBA,Marketing
Joint Mission Director, UP Skill Development Mission. Previously Government of UP, NISG - Programme Management Unit- Dept. of IT, ITDA. Additional City Magistrate, Government of UP.